Dry Mouth

[wonderwoman]

Anyone experiencing a very dry mouth? Machine doesn't register a large leak as if my mouth is open. Using a humidifier. New to this...help!

[kempo]

Tell us what kind of machine and mask you are using.

[wonderwoman]

Repironics-System 1 Pro CPAP machine with a nasal mask

[Gerald]

WW......

What's happening is called "mouth breathing"....a dry mouth means you're not getting the therapy you need. The air pressure needed to prevent apnea is leaking out of your mouth.

Your CPAP machine is sort of like scuba gear....it pressurizes your breathing system....and it works great so long as there aren't any leaks.

I, too, use a nasal mask.....and to prevent leaks so that I get effective therapy, I must seal my mouth while sleeping. I could use a full face mask, but I prefer the comfort of a nasal mask.

It may sound crazy to you right now, but many of us use tape to seal our mouths. I prefer 2" wide Blue #2080 Delicate Release painters tape from Lowe's. Others of us use medical tape....of various widths and brands.

Because you're new at this, I urge you to click on the "lightbulb" at the top of the page....and educate yourself as quickly as possible by reading everything. "Cram" like you are studying for university "finals". It'll be time well invested....

Gerald

[trip68]

I have a full face mask with humidifier and still have a dry mouth.
No biggie....I just keep some water by the bed when I wake up.
I

[sister]

I have a fitlife that i use sometimes and I still have terrible dry mouth, even though it's a full mask.
actually, don't see much difference in dry mouth when I wear a full mask or nasal pillows.

[SMenasco]

In my case, I had severe dry mouth, 2 or 3 times a night, to the extent of it being painful. As soon as I begin to doze, my mouth comes open. When I turn onto my side, my mouth closes, and I have no problems until I return to my back, which I am told is a frequent occurance throughout the night. Increased humidity did not help me. I have finally figured out the problem. When I sleep on my back, my mouth opens and recirculation starts, whereby air enters the nose and immediately exits my mouth and dries it out. No mask or chin strat will solve this, since the problem is recirculation. The hybrids and full face will address the apnea with open mouth syndrome, but not the recirculation and dry mouth. I tried a Resmed Liberty, with mouth mask and nasal pillows. My pressure is 17 and this mask would not perform for me without leaking at this high pressure. Even if it did work without leaking, since my mouth is open, I would still suffer from dry mouth. The only thing that stopped it, in my case, was taping my mouth shut. As someone suggested, I tried using 3M No. 2080 paint tape and it did not have enough "stickum" power. My bedtime preparation is; I use a liberal amount of lip balm on my lips first, rolling them similar to a lady "smoothing" her lipstick. This keeps the adhesive from sticking and tearing tender lip tissue upon tape removal (bad experience here). Then I apply 2" surgical paper tape. (For those Mr. Fixits out there who are already thinking; no, I don't think duct tape is a good option if you value your facial skin). When I remove the tape, I pull it off slowly from the top and not from the side, For me, this results in less adhesive remaining on my face. With the taping and a great Swift II nasal pillow device, I sleep all night, no leaks, no dry mouth, no wake-ups, thankful I have solved my problem. Not trying to be a know-it-all, folks; just describing my condition and experiences, hopefully helping someone else that might have this unique problem. Thanks.

[howkim]

The hybrids and full face will address the apnea with open mouth syndrome, but not the recirculation and dry mouth.

I think I had the same kind of problem that you described here. Have you tried the F&P 431 or 432? They're FFMs, but with a nice little shelf to rest your chin on so your mouth can't open. They work for me.

[zipit555]

From reviewing your data, how can you tell if your mouth comes open through the night or not? I don't see any major or extended leaks that show up but I am also just learning to look at the data the software provides. (Using Encore Pro 2.4) Or is dry mouth the only indicator?